Machine for use in the construction of commutators



March 7, 1950 MACHINE Filed May 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1

March 7, 1950 w. SWIFT ETAL 2,499,539

momma FOR uss IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUTATORS Filed May 2a, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 62 f 1r: 691L714 2 (51 Fig.2

W. SWIFT ETAL March 7, 1950 MACHINE FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUTATORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 28, 1946 lruv embers 600 mm j W. SWIFT ETAL.

March 7, 1950 MACHINE FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUTATORS Filed May 28, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 7, 1950 moms:

FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF 'COMMUTATORS William Swift and Arthur Goodman, Birmingham, England, assignors to Joseph Lucas Limited, Birmingham, England Application May 28, 1946, Serial No. 672,794 In Great Britain June 5, 1945 I 7 Claims. (Cl. 218-1) 1 This invention has for its object to provide a machine whereby the components of the commutators used in dynamoelectrlc machines and the like can be secured together in an expeditious manner.

The invention comprises the combination of an annular and contractible work holder, a tool for pressing a work piece formed by the components of a commutator into the holder, an annulus embracing the work holder and adapted by relative sliding movement to contract the work holder, a pair 01' coaxial and relatively slidable tools (one of which is adapted to occupy a position at the lower part otthe work holder and to serve also as an ejector) for expanding the ends of a central bush of the work piece to secure together the other components 01' the work piece which are supported by the bush, and fluid operated means adapted to actuate the tools and annulus.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings-- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view illustrating a machine in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating electrical components of the machine.

Figure 3 is a front view, and Figure 4 a side view, of a preferred form of the machine illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional side view, and Figure 6 an end view, of a dynamo commutator.

The machine shown in Figures 1 to 4 is intended to secure together the components of dynamo c'ommutators, such as that shown in Figures 5 and 6, after the components have been loosely assembled in the required relationship, the assembled components being hereinafter termed the work piece. The commutator shown in Figures 5 and 6 comprises an annular assembly of metal segments a, insulating strips b arranged between the segments, locking rings 0 engaging dovetail or like recesses d in the ends of the segments, and a central supporting bush 1 which when its ends are expanded or riveted over the locking rings as shown serves to secure all of the parts together, the segments being shaped at one end to form the usual external flange g to which wiring connections can subsequently be made.

In constructing the machine shown in Figures 1 to 4, we employ any convenient hollow body part h for carrying thevarious elements of the machine. At a suitable position in the body part we arrange a housing i which is supported on a stationary bed i, and which contains a horizontal annular and contractible work holder 70, the 'upper side of the housing having an opening m through which the work piece can be inserted into the work holder. Also we arrange around the work holder 10 an annulus n which embraces the work holder, these two parts having contiguous inclined peripheral surfaces 0 arranged so that upward movement of the annulus can exert, a contracting force on the work holder which is split radially in one or more positions. The work holder it rests on a base piece 11 through which extends the stem of a vertically slidable tool q having its upper operative end surrounded by the work holder. as the complement of another tool 1 whereby expending or riveting action can be exerted on the opposite ends of the central bush f of the work piece, but also as anejector whereby the work piece can be ejected from the work holder after the said expanding or riveting action.

The tool 1 is arranged above the work holder is and is surrounded by a third coaxially arranged tool 8 of annular form, the latter tool (which is herein termed the pressure tool) being adapted to press the work piece into the work holder, and consisting of a ring which is supported in a sleevet, a compressible rubber ring u being arranged between the inner face of the ring and a, shoulders) inthe sleeve.

The annulus n, the twirl complementary expanding or riveting tools q, r, and the pressure tool s are adapted'to be actuated by any convenient fluid operated mechanism, a preferred form of which will now be described.

In the upper end of the body part It is arrangeda cylinder w containing a piston as, the

latter bel irgiprovided with a rod y which extends through the lower end of the cylinder and has the upper riveting tool r secured to its lower end. At opposite sides of the cylinder to are disposed two smaller and similar cylinders 2 each of which contains a piston 3 having a rod 4 extending through the lower end of the corresponding cylinder, the two rods being connected to a cross head 5 which carries the above mentioned sleeve t of the pressure tool s. In the lower portion of the body part h is arranged another cylinder 6 containing a hollow piston i from which a hollow piston rod 8 extends through the upper end of the cylinder, the upper end of the hollow piston rod being adapted to act through an intermediate piece 9 on a pair of thrust rods III which can actuate the above mentioned annulus 1!. around the work holder vIt. Further, beneath the cylinder 6 is arranged an additional and The tool q serves not only- .an appropriate system of valves.

3 smaller cylinder ll containing a piston l2, the latter having a rod l3 which extends through the hollow piston rod 8 and supports at its upper end the stem of the lower riveting tool q.

After the components of the work piece above described have been assembled loosely in the work holder as shown in broken lines in Figure 1, the machine is set in motion. In the first phase of the action of the machine the pressure tool s forces the work piece into the work holder is and. in this operation the rubber ring u is compressed. Then the annulus 12 comes into action and contracts the work holder is, so causing the components of the work piece to be tightly squeezed together. Later the riveting tools q, r expand or rivet over the ends of the central bush 1 of the work piece and so secure the components together. During the withdrawal of the upper tools 1', s the pressure exerted by the annulus n is released, and the lower riveting tool q ejects the completed work piece from the-work holder k. Finally all parts of the machine resume their initial positions in readiness for action on the next work piece.

In association with the machine above described we provide a pair of pumps l4, I which are adapted to be driven by an electric motor or motors l6, the pump l4 being of high pressure and small volumetric capacity, and the pump l5 being of low pressure and large volumetric capacity. The high pressure pump I4 is supplied with liquid by the low pressure pump i5, and the latter is supplied with liquid from a. tank H to which the liquid delivered by both pumps returns after passing through the various cylinders of the machine. For enabling the sequence of operations of the machine to be performed .automatically under manual control, we arrange between the pumps l4, l5 and cylinders w, 2, 6, l I

necessitate the use of both of the operatives i hands, thereby ensuring that the latter are clear of the tools q, r, s before the machine can be set in motion. Also we employ a main valve 20 which Thus, we emis movable in one direction by fluid pressure under the control of the manually operable valve I8, and in the opposite direction by a solenoid 2|. Moreover, we employ another valve 22 which is movable in opposite directions by fluid pressure under the control of another manually operable and spring loaded valve 23. The valves I6, 20, 22 and 23 are. connected to the delivery side of the low pressure pump i5 by piping 24 (herein termed pressure piping), and to the tank IT by piping 25 herein termed exhaust piping), the pressure piping being also connected to the inlet side of the high pressure pump l4, and the exhaust piping being also connected to the valve IS.

The manually operable valve l8 serves when in its normal position (Figure 1) to connect the pressure piping 24 to piping 26 leading to the upper end of a cylinder 21 containing a piston 28, and is movable by the operative to a position in which it serves both to connect the pressure piping 24 to piping 29 leading to the valve l6, and to connect the exhaust piping 25 to the piping 26 leading to'the cylinder 28. v

The manually operable valve is serves when in its normal position to connect the exhaust piping 25 to piping 36 leading to the end of the 4 able by the operative to a. position in which it serves both to interrupt communication of the exhaust piping 25 with the piping 30, and to connect the latter piping to the piping 29.

The main valve 20 is connected at one end to the movable core 3| of the solenoid 2i, and at the other end to another valve 32 which has a lost-motion connection at 33 with a rod 34 extending from the piston 28, the arrangement being such that this piston after being actuated to move the valves 20 and 32 can subsequently be returned to its initial position without effecting these valves. In its initial extreme position the main valve 20 serves to connect the pressure piping 24 to piping 35 leading to the lower ends of the cylinders 2 and the upper end of the cylinder 6, and also to connect the exhaust piping 25 to piping 36 leading to the upper ends of the cylinders 2 and the lower end of the cylinder 6. In its other extreme position the main valve 20 serves to connect the pressure piping 24 to the piping 36 and the exhaust piping 25 to the piping 35. The valve 32 serves when in its initial position to connect the exhaust piping 25 to piping 31 interconnecting the delivery side of the high pressure pump 14 and the upper end of the cylinder in. When in its opposite extreme position the valve 32 serves to interrupt communication between the exhaust piping 25 and the piping 31. Also when the valves 20, 32 are moved from their initial positions to their opposite extreme positions a collar 36 on the end of the valve 32 adjacent to the valve 20 releases and allows closure of a normally open spring loaded switch 36 hereinafter referred to.

Between the piping 36 and the piping 31 are arranged a pair of valves 40, 4| of known form past which pressure fluid can flow to the piping 31 from the piping 36 only when the fluid pressure in the latter piping reaches a predetermined value. The valve 40 is movable to an open position against the action of an adjustable loading spring 42 by the action on its underside of pres- 'sure fluid in the piping 36. The valve 4| serves solely to prevent return flow of fluid from the piping 31 to the piping 36.

The valve 22 serves when in its initial extreme position to connect the pressure piping 24 to piping 43 leading to the upper end of the cylinder II, and also to connect the exhaust piping 25 to piping 44 leading to the lower end of this .cylinder. In its opposite extreme position the valve 22 serves to reverse the connections between the pipings 24, 25 and the pipings 43, 44. Movement of the valve 22 is effected by a piston 45 in a cylinder 46, the piston being connected to the valve, and being movable in opposite directions by fluid pressure.

The valve 23 serves when in its initial extreme position to connect the pressure piping 24 to piping 41 leading to the lower end of the cylinder 46, and to connect the exhaust piping 25 to piping 48 leading to the upper end of this cylinder. In its opposite extreme position the valve 23 serves to reverse the connections between the pipings 24, 25 and the pipings 41, 46.

The piping 31 through which pressure fluid can flow to the upper end of the cylinder w is connected by piping 66 to one end of a hollow body 5|. Arranged within and extending through the opposite end of the body 5| is a slidable stem 53 which is supported by a bush 54 in adjustable screw thread engagement with the body. At the inner end of the stem 53 there is arranged withcylinder 21 remote from the piping 26, and is movin the body 5| a coaxial thrust piece 55 through which the pressure fluid in the piping Ill can act on the stem to move the latter against the action 'of a loading spring 52, the latter being supported at one end by the adjustable bush 54. When the fluid pressure in the piping 50 reaches a predetermined value, it moves the stem 53 against the action of its loading spring 52, causing the stem to close a normally open switch 56 hereinafter referred to.

To enable a small amount oi fluid to circulate between the pump l and the tank l1 when the machine is idle, a by-pass 51 having an adjustable restriction 58 may be provided between the exhaust piping 25 and the upper end of the cylinder 9.

Also an adjustable restriction 59 is provided in the part of the piping 38 leading to the lower end of the cylinder 6, the purpose of this restric-. tion being to delay the action of pressure fluid on the underside of the piston I when the piping 36 is connected to the pressure piping 24.

Any convenient pressure gauges 68 may be connected to the piping 36 and the piping 31 respectively. Also any convenient pressure relief valves 6| may be provided between the pipings 24, 31 and the tank l1.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the normally open switch 56 associated with the pressure responsive stem 53 is contained in an electric circuit 62 which also contains a source of electric current 63 and a winding 64. The current source 63 is connected at one side to the switch 56 by a con ductor 62, and at the other side to one end of the winding 64 by a conductor 62 the other end of the winding being connected to the switch by a conductor 62. The winding 64 forms a part of a relay having a second winding 65 and a spring loaded pivotal armature 66, the latter being connected to the conductor 62 by another conductor 62 The second winding-65 is arranged in series with the other normally open switch 39 which is operable by movement of the valves 20, 32. The armature 66 carries a contact 61 which co-operates with a complementary fixed contact 68 to connect the above mentioned-solenoid 2! across the current source 63 when the first mentioned winding 64 of the relay is energised, and at the same time to connect the second winding 65 and the switch 39 in parallel with the solenoid. If desired a manually operable The operation of the machine above described is as follows:

It will be assumed that the machine is idle. In this condition the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 1, and the low pressure pump I5 maintains piping 24, leading therefrom, and consequently the high pressure pump i4, constantly supplied with low pressure fluid. Also in this state the piping 24 communicates through the valve 28 with the piping 35 leading to the lower ends of the cylinders 2 and the upper end of the cylinder 6. Moreover, a small amount of low pressure fluid circulates between the low pressure pump l5 and the tank l1 through the piping 24, the valve 20, the piping 35, the upper end of the cylinder 6, the restricted by-pass 51, and the piping 25. To start the machine the operator simultaneously presses both of the manuallyoperable valves 18, I9 inwardly from'their-normal x n positions aw F e Tm ...i. 'r

mits low pressure fluid to flow p'ast valve l8 into the pipe 29, and thence past valve l9 into pipe 38, and thence to the lower end of the cylinder 21. The actuation of valve 18 also simultaneously establishes communication between the upper end of the cylinder 21 and the supply and exhaustreceiving tank I 1 through pipe 26, valve l8, and pipe 25. The low pressure fluid entering the lower end of the cylinder 21 causes the. piston 28 in this cylinder to move upwardly and thereby move the valves 32, from their lower extreme positions'shown in Figure 1 to their upper extreme positions. Due to the lost-motion connection at 33 between the piston 28 and the valve 32, the manually operable valves I 8, is can be released by the operator and allowed to return to their initial positions under their spring loading when the valves 32, 20 have been moved by the piston 28 to their upper extreme positions, and as this function of the piston is performed in a period of less than one second after the manually operable valves l8, l9 are pressed in wardly, it follows that the latter valves require only momentary manual operation.

However, to ensure that the valves l8, iii are not released before the piston 28 has completed its upward movement, these valves may be held in their pressed-in condition by the operator until he sees the pressure tool s commencing to move as hereinafter described.

Return of the manually operable valves l8, l9 to their initial positions permits low pressure liquid to flow from the piping 24 past valve l8 and through pipe 26 to the upper end of the cylinder 21, and at the same time connects the lower end of this cylinder to the tank l1 through pipe 30, valve l9, pipe 30, and piping 25. Consequently the piston 28 is returned to its initial (lowered) position by low pressure liquid entering the upper end of the cylinder 21, but this movement has no effect on the valves 32, 20 owing to the lost-motion connection at 33.

During the upward movement of the valves 32 20 with the piston 28, the collar 38 on the valve 32 releases the switch 39, allowing the latter to close under its spring loading. When the valves 32, 28 assume their upper extreme positions, low pressure-fluid flows from the piping 24 past the valve 20 and through the piping 36 to the upper ends of the cylinders 2 for causing the pistons 3 therein to impart downward movement to the pressure tool s through the medium of the cross head 5. At the same time low pressure fluid flows from the piping 36 at a delayed rate past the adjustable restriction 59 to the lower end of the cylinder 6 for causing the piston 1' therein to impart upward movement to the annulus 11. through the medium of the thrust piece 9 and rods ill at a slower rate than the downward movement of the pressure tool s so that the latter serves by contact with the upper end of the work piece to press the components thereof against the base piece p and hold them, against relative axial movement when the work piece is contracted by the action of the annulus n on the work holder is. Also fluid from the lower ends of the cylinders 2 and the upper end of the cylinder 6- flows through the piping and past the bottom piston of the valve 20 to the exhaust pip ing 25 leading to the tank [1. This exhausting of fluid permits the pistons 3, I to be actuated as-above. described. Moreover, the valve 32in its elevated position interrupts communication between the piping 31, which is supplied with high pressurefluidby thepump, and the ex:

haust piping 25 leading to the tank l1. Consequently high pressure fluid flows from the piping 31 to the upper end or the cylinder 10 but has no eil'ect on the piston a: in this cylinder owing to the downward movement or this piston with the pistons 3, and the small volumetric capacity of the high pressure pump l4.

when the pressure of the fluid delivered by the low pressure pump I reaches a predetermined value in the piping 36 as a result of resistance opposing movement of the tools r, s, this fluid pressure serves, by acting on the underside of the valve 40, to move the latter against the action of its loading spring 42 to an open position in which it permits the fluid pressure to act on and open the valve 4i. ply of pressure fluid to flow under the action of This enables a further supthe pressure pump i5 from the piping 36 through the valves 40, 4| to the piping 31, and thence to the upper end of the cylinder w for supplementing the high pressure fluid supplied to this end of the cylinder as above described. Upon the pressure in the upper end of the cylinder w and in the piping 31 reaching a predetermined value, the back pressure thereon will close valve 4| and isolate the low pressure pump l5 from this cylinder, the pressure in the upper end of the latter being then dependent on the high pressure pump i4 alone. The valve 40 remains open until the pipe 36, in a later operational stage, is connected by the valve to the pipe leading to the tank I1. When the pressure in the upper end of the cylinder w reaches that required for effecting the riveting operation, the stem 53 is moved against the action of its loading spring 52 by the fluid pressure in the piping 50 which communicates with the high pressure pump l4 through the piping 31, this movement of the stem serving to close the switch 56.

Closure of the switch 56, switch 39 having been closed earlier, establishes the electric circuit 62, and thereby causes the relay winding 64 (Figure 2) to be energised by current flowing from the source 63 through the conductor 62 winding 64, switch 56, and conductor 62', back to the source.

Although the switch 39 has been previously closed in the manner above described, no current will flow through the solenoid 2| and winding 65 as these are short circuited by the conductor 62*. The energisation of the winding 64 causes the armature 66 to close the contacts 61, 56, and thereby connect the windings 64, 65 and solenoid 2| in parallel with each other so that they are all energised by current from the source 63. Thus, the winding 64 is energised by current flowing through the circuit 62. Also, the winding 65, once switch 61, 68 is closed, is ener ised by current flowing from the source 63 through conductor 62*, switch 39, winding 65, contacts 66, 61, armature 66, conductor 62 and conductor 62", back to the source. Moreover, solenoid 2|, once switch 61, 68 is closed, is energised by ourrent flowing from the source 63 through winding 2|, contacts 66, 61, armature 66, conductor 62,

and conductor 62, back to the source. The energised winding 65 serves by its action on the armature to retain the contacts 61, 68 closed when the switch 56 opens. The solenoid 2| effects return movement of the valves 20, 32 to their lower extreme positions, and in so doing causes the collar 38 on the valve 32 to re-open the switch 39 'for releasing the armature 66 and de-energising the solenoid.

Fluid now flows under the action of the low pressurepump l5 from the piping between the two pistons 01 valve 26 and through piping 35 to the lower ends of the pressuretool cylinders 2 and the upper end of the annulus cylinder 5-. Also fluid from the upper ends of the pressure tool cylinders 2 and the lower end of the annulus cylinder 6 flows through piping 36, past the upper piston of valve 26, and through piping 25 to the tank 11. Consequently the pistons 3, 1 in the cylinders 2, 6 return to their initial positions (shown in Figure 1) under said fluid pressure. Also the piston :r in the upper riveting tool cylinder :0 is returned to its initial position by the action of the cross head 5 attached to the rods 4 of the pistons 3.

After the operations above described have been eflected for securing together the components of a work piece in the work holder is, and for subsequently releasing the work piece, the third manually operable valve 23 is pressed inwardly by the operator. This permits low pressure fluid to flow from piping 24, past valve 23, into piping 46, and thence to the upper end of the cylinder 46, and also establishes communication between the lower end or the cylinder 46 and the tank I! through pipes 41, 25. Consequently pressure fluid entering the upper end of the cylinder 46 moves the piston 45 and the valve 22 from the extreme positions shown in Figure 1 to their other extreme positions.

Pressure fluid now flows from the piping 24, past valve 22, and through piping 44, into the lower end of the cylinder II, and exhaust fluid flows from the upper end of this cylinder through piping 43, past valve 22, and through piping 25, to the tank l1, causing the piston l2 to impart upward movement to the rod l3 for ejecting the work piece from the work holder is through the medium of the tool q.

When this election has been effected the operator releases the third manually operable valve 23 which returns to its initial position under its spring loading. This permits pressure fluid to flow from piping 24, past valve 23, and through piping 41 to the lower end of the cylinder 46, and also establishes communication between the upper end of the cylinder 46 and the tank I1 through pipes 46, 25. Consequently the piston 45 and the valve 22 attached thereto are returned to their initial positions under fluid pressure. Pressure fluid now flows from the piping 24, past valve 22, and through piping 43, to the upper end of the cylinder II, and from the lower end or this cylinder, through the piping 44, past valve 22, and through piping 25, to the tank l1. Consequently the piston l2 and rod l3 are returned to their initial positions by fluid pressure, and allow return movement of the tool q under gravity.

Access to the tools q, r, s is afforded by an aperture 10 in the front of the body part h, and a lamp 1i may be provided in the body part at each side of this aperture to illuminate the tools.

By this invention we are able to eflect the securing together of commutator components as above described in a very satisfactory and expeditious manner. The invention is not, however, limited'to the example described as subordinate details may be varied to suit requirements.

Patent is:

1. A' machine for securing together the components of commutators, having in combination an annular and contractible work holder, a' tool accuse for pressing a work piece formed by the components of a commutator into the holder, an annulus embracing the work holder and adapted by relative sliding movement to contract the work holder, a pair of coaxial and relatively slidable tools situated respectively in positions at the upper and'lower sides of the work holder, and having their adjacent ends shaped for expanding the ends of a central bush of the work piece thereby securing the work piece components together in response to movement of the upper tool, the lower tool being movable to serve for ejecting the work piece from the holder, and fluid operated means for actuating the tools and annulus.

2. A machine for securing together the components of commutators, having in combination an annular and contractible work holder, a tool for pressing a work piece formed by the components of a commutator into the holder, an annulus embracing the work holder and adapted by relative sliding movement to contract the work holder, a pair of coaxial and relatively slidable tools situated respectively in positions at the upper and lower sides of the work holder, and having their adjacent ends shaped for expanding the ends of a central bush of the work piece thereby securing the workpiece components together in response to movement of the upper tool, the lower tool being movable to serve for ejecting the work-piece from the holder, pistons for imparting movements to the tools and annulus, cylinpump for supplying fluid to the cylinder asso-v ciated with one of the coaxial tools, and means responsive, to fluid pressure for isolating the said cylinder from the low pressure pump.

4. A machine for securing together the components of commutators, having in combination an annular and contractible work holder, a. tool for pressing a work piecei'ormed by the components of a commutator into the holder, an annulus embracing the work holder and adapted by relative sliding movement to contract the work holder,' a pair of coaxial and relatively slidable tools situated respectively in positions at the upper and lower sides of the work holder, and having their adjacent ends shaped for expanding the ends of a central bush 0! the work piece thereby securing the work piece components together in response to movement of the upper tool, the lower tool being movable to serve for ejecting the work piece from the holder, pistons for imparting movements to the tools and annulus, cylinders in which the pistons are slidable under fluid pressure, and fluid-controlling means associated with the cylinders for enabling the operations of the machine to be performed automatically under manual control, the said means comprising in combination a pair of manually operable valves which require to be actuated simultaneously for starting the machine, another manually operable valve for initiating movement of the tool adapted to serve as an ejector, and valves operable by fluid pressure in response to movements of the manually operable valves for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the cylinders.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the manually operable valves for starting the machine are situated at a suflicient distance apart to necessitate the use of both hands of the operative.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the fluid controlling means includes a main valve movable in one direction by fluid pressure, a solenoid for moving the main valve in the opposite direction, and electrical switching means responsive to the fluid pressure in the said means and the movement of the main valve for controlling the solenoid.

I. A machine as claimed in claim 4, in which the fluid controlling means includes a main valve movable in one direction by fluid pressure, a solenoid for moving the main valve in the opposite direction, electrical switching means responsive to the fluid pressure in the said means and the movement of the main valve for controlling the solenoid, an additional valve connected to the main valve, an actuating piston having a lostmotion connection with the said additional valve, and a cylinder in which the piston is slidable under fluid pressure in response to actuation of the manually operable valves whereby the machine is started, the said switching means including a switch operable by movement of the interconnected valves for controlling the said solenoid.

WILLIAM SWIFI. ARTHUR GOODMAN.

No references cited. 

